Clinical Research Directory

Vibration on Patellofemoral Joint Pain After ACLR

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a prevailing problem among sports participants, especially in non-contact sports. Studies have reported that 70-84% of ACL injuries are non-contact in nature, and movements like changing in direction while running, cutting and pivoting on a planted foot have resulted in a majority of ACL injuries. Even after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgeries, study has reported a 30-50% prevalence of developing patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain in 1-2 years post-operation. Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy has been gaining attention as an effective method of training in recent years. It has been proved to have a positive effect on improving muscle strength, muscle activities, muscle power and loading during drop jump. Though duration of WBV may differ according to the effect of interest, several studies have had positive results with a 8 week WBV therapy in increasing muscle strength, proprioception, and post-ACLR knee functions. Further investigation on the underlying mechanism and possible application are to be continued to explore more possibilities with the WBV therapy.

A Self-Directed Web-Based Education for Boston Marathon Runners With Patellofemoral Pain

Runners experience diverse lower extremity injuries, and the most common is patellofemoral pain (PFP)-commonly known as "runner's knee" and characterized by pain around and/or behind the kneecap. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week, self-directed, web-based education program for runners competing in the 2026 Boston Marathon. The study will evaluate outcomes, including pain, function, and marathon performance, in runners who use a web-based educational program designed to help them understand and manage knee pain. There will be two groups: Group 1 will receive the 6-week web-based educational program prior to the 2026 Boston Marathon, while Group 2 will serve as the wait-and-see control group (no intervention) prior to the marathon and then receive the same program 6 weeks after completing the marathon.

Mindful Miles Pilot Feasibility Study

The goal of this single-arm pilot study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a progressive outdoor mindful physical activity intervention delivered via the Headspace mobile application for individuals with patellofemoral pain. AIM 1: Determine the feasibility and acceptability of the mindful activity intervention. AIM 2: Determine the preliminary efficacy of the mindful running intervention to improve the primary outcome of (2a) anterior knee pain, and secondary outcomes of (2b) kinesiophobia and (2c) running cadence and vertical forces (gait kinematics) in individuals with PFP. Our central hypothesis is that the intervention will be feasible and acceptable and will improve pain, kinesiophobia (injury-related fear), and running cadence (steps per minute) in individuals with patellofemoral pain. Participants will complete a three-phase progressive mindful physical activity intervention that involves: Phase 1: Introduction to mindfulness Phase 2: Guided mindful running Phase 3: Mindful running.

Bilateral Knee Pain and Dry Needling

This project will evaluate the effects of bilateral knee pain and dry needling (DN) on laterality recognition, movement and muscle function. The objective is to determine if laterality recognition accuracy deficits are present in individuals with bilateral chronic knee pain and if DN affects 'central' and 'peripheral' musculoskeletal measurements. Chronic musculoskeletal pain results in changes to the way the brain perceives pain and left-right discrimination between body parts. This phenomenon has been established for individuals with chronic back pain and chronic regional pain syndrome, but has not been described for individuals with bilateral knee pain without the presence of knee OA. Dry needling involves the insertion of a small diameter monofilament needle into muscle, and has been purported to affect the neuromuscular system both centrally and peripherally. Sixty individuals between 18 and 40 years old will be recruited and allocated into three groups. The first group will consist of 20 subjects presenting with bilateral chronic anterior knee pain and high fear of movement with scores on Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (fear of movement) greater than 37. The second group with consist of 20 subjects with bilateral chronic anterior knee pain and low fear of movement between ages of 18 and 40 years old, and the third group will consist of healthy controls without knee pain between 18 and 40 years old. All subjects will undergo baseline testing consisting of laterality recognition, movement analysis, muscle force production, and ultrasound imaging. Subjects will undergo laterality recognition testing using the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI) Recognise Knee phone application. 2D video analysis of the lateral step down test will be performed followed by peak isometric force production assessment of knee extension and flexion. Muscle function of the vastus medialis will be measured with ultrasound imaging where cross-sectional area and other measurements (tendon length, muscle thickness, etc) will be captured with Lumify ultrasound imaging transducer. Then DN to the quadriceps will be performed. After DN procedure, subjects will undergo aforementioned measurements from baseline testing. Testing will require only one appointment by the subject, which will last approximately 2 hours an include baseline testing, dry needling, and post testing. No follow up will occur afterwards.

Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion and Effect on Single Limb Squats in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to investigate the relationship between limited ankle dorsiflexion and the potential effects on a single limb squat task in the Patellofemoral/Knee Pain population.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Clinical Practice Guideline Adherence for Patellofemoral Pain

The overall goal of this multisite, randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG)-adherent physical therapy approach to patellofemoral pain (PFP) management among military Service members. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can a CPG-adherent care approach to PFP management improve short- and long-term knee function, pain, and confidence with completing duty-related activities? 2. Can a CPG-adherent care approach to PFP management reduce utilization of healthcare resources and analgesic medication prescription at 12-month follow-up? 3. Are there patient- and care-specific factors that predict or mediate clinical benefit from physical therapy care for PFP? Researchers will compare the CPG-adherent physical therapy intervention to usual physical therapy care in the Military Health System. Participants will: 1) be randomized to receive CPG-adherent care or usual care for PFP management; 2) attend physical therapy corresponding to their group assignment; and 3) complete patient-reported outcome measures at baseline and 6-weeks and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-randomization.

Emovi 3D Knee Assessment Device Intervention for Operational Readiness

This is a randomized clinical trial investigating the use of the Emovi Knee Kinesiography information in the treatment of anterior knee pain in physical therapy.

Strength or Power Training for Patellofemoral Pain

The objective of this study is to compare a novel 6-week strength training rehabilitation incorporating power exercises (STRIPE) program to a standard of care (SOC) program on short-term and long-term pain, subjective function, patellofemoral pain recurrence rates, and secondary outcomes (hip abduction and extension rate of torque development and single-leg squat kinematics). We hypothesize that participants with patellofemoral pain who complete the STRIPE program will have 1) decreased pain, 2) improved subjective function, 3) reduced patellofemoral pain recurrence rates, 4a) improved hip abduction/extension rate of torque development, and 4b) decreased hip adduction and pelvic drop during a single leg squat compared to participants who complete a SOC rehabilitation program.

The Effect of a Treatment Protocol Focused on Neuromuscular Control Exercises on Pain and Function in a Subgroup of Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain

Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is one of the most common causes of knee pain and is significantly present in recreational athletes who have previously been categorized as being in a subgroup of PFP. Understanding which intervention is most appropriate for this subgroup could give us important information about subgroup-based treatments, which are not yet described in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the effect of two exercise interventions in a PFP subgroup: one focusing on neuromuscular control exercises and the other focusing on muscle strengthening.This study will recruit 10 individuals to each exercise group, and will assess pain, function, muscle activity and joint kinematics pre and post intervention. Mixed Model ANOVA tests will be used to determine the responses to the two interventions between the two groups over a 6-week treatment time.

Adherence and Feasibility of Remote Rehabilitation for Chronic Patellofemoral Joint Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is a prospective, single-center trial involving 66 patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain. The study adhered to ethical guidelines and obtained informed consent from all participants. Participants were randomly assigned to receive face-to-face remote rehabilitation guidance either 1 time, 3 times, or 6 times. The primary outcome measure was exercise adherence assessed using the Exercise Rating Scale (EARS) after 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Secondary outcomes included knee pain severity, muscle strength, knee function, fatigue levels, and a qualitative research questionnaire. An isokinetic strength testing system was used to measure the open-chain strength of the quadriceps muscle.

Effects of Percutaneous Neuromouldation of the Saphenous Nerve in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain

The knee is a common source of musculoskeletal pain, with patellofemoral pain (PFP) standing out due to its high prevalence. This pain, frequent in adolescents and athletes, significantly impacts the quality of life by hindering daily activities such as climbing stairs and sitting for extended periods. Percutaneous neuromodulation of the saphenous nerve (PNM) emerges as a promising therapeutic approach in physiotherapy to alleviate these symptoms. A randomized controlled clinical trial is proposed in adults with PFP. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive PNM of the saphenous nerve, while the other will be a control group receiving puncture without electrical stimulation. Pain, extension strength, and knee range of motion will be evaluated before and after the intervention using the AKPS scale. Three sessions will be conducted with specific intervals, and a follow-up assessment will be performed three months later.